Edicts of Ashoka
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The Edicts of Ashoka are a collection of 33 inscriptions on the Pillars of Ashoka, as well as on large stones and cave walls, made by the Emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan dynasty during his reign from 272 to 231 BCE. The edicts describe in detail the first wide expansion of Buddhism. According to the edicts, the extent of Buddhist proselytism during this period reached as far as the Mediterranean, and many Buddhist monuments were created.
Ashoka did not completely forbid the killing of animals; he wanted restraint in the number that had to be killed for consumption, protected some of them, and in general condemned violent acts against animals, such as castration.
[change] References
- "The Edicts of King Asoka: An English Rendering" by Ven. S. Dhammika (The Wheel Publication No. 386/387) ISBN 955-24-0104-6
- “Zen living” by Robert Linssen ISBN 0-8021-3136-0
[change] Other websites
- The Edicts of King Ashoka (full text, electronic edition offered for free distribution)
- The Edicts of King Ashoka in Access to Insight
- Edicts in original Gandhari
- King Asoka and Buddhism. Historical and Literary studies
- Inscriptions of India -- Complete listing of historical inscriptions from Indian temples and monuments